Jafar
Al-Shayeb is a Saudi writer, political activist, and an elected
Chairman of Qatif Municipal Council in the Eastern Province of Saudi
Arabia.

Al-Shayeb said: "There are many demands and many petitions being circulated. Some people are calling for a constitutional monarchy, for fighting corruption, for citizenship equality -- there's no real equality between men and women, religious sects, there are tribal issues. I was elected in the first municipal elections five years ago. Half the council is elected, half appointed by the government. Women couldn't vote in those elections; people are trying to change that too."